From the LNC

[OUHoops]

Was disappointed that Odomes didn't play. Really hope his ankle (or whatever) doesn't keep him out long.

Buford wasn't shy about launching three's. He hit 4-of-9 by my count (in the before scrimmage stuff and actual scrimmage). A couple of those were forced heat checks. Looked really good form-wise when he was able to size them up within the flow of play. I really think he's going to be a very nice combo forward type player.

I mainly focused on the young guys. Christian James looks to be one of those types that is good, but not great, at everything. Knocked down a three, had a nice driving/spinning layup, made a couple nice defensive deflections too. That kid already looks like a well-built machine. Wow.

McNeace and Lattin are so athletic, showed some skills and looked stronger than last year but still need more in that department. But we saw last year, with Lattin, though that his athletic ability can mask that strength issue at times. Gonna have some nice depth there when a guy like McNeace is your fourth-fifth big.

Depth, depth, depth though is what I took away the most from the scrimmage. This team will have it. Not really a shocking revelation though.

 

[OKUman]

Was disappointed that Odomes didn't play. Really hope his ankle (or whatever) doesn't keep him out long.

Buford wasn't shy about launching three's. He hit 4-of-9 by my count (in the before scrimmage stuff and actual scrimmage). A couple of those were forced heat checks. Looked really good form-wise when he was able to size them up within the flow of play. I really think he's going to be a very nice combo forward type player.

I mainly focused on the young guys. Christian James looks to be one of those types that is good, but not great, at everything. Knocked down a three, had a nice driving/spinning layup, made a couple nice defensive deflections too. That kid already looks like a well-built machine. Wow.

McNeace and Lattin are so athletic, showed some skills. Looked stronger than last year but still need more in that department. But we saw last year, with Lattin, that his athletic ability can mask that strength issue at times. Gonna have some nice depth there when a guy like McNeace is your fourth-fifth big.

Depth, depth, depth though is what I took away the most from the scrimmage. This team will have it. Not really a shocking revelation though.

Agree about Chis James, I like his looks and style. Solid guy.

 

[skyvue]

Great stuff, thanks for the reports, everyone.

 

[jackson_supersooner]

1. I take most all JUCO accolades with a big grain of salt (Chris Walker Rule).

2. The foot injury.

3. The unexplained leave of absence from his JUCO team toward the end of last season.


These things are all alarms with me. I've just never considered him any sort of cog toward the potential success of our 2016 season.

All very valid points. Hope your wrong haha

 

[OUHoops]

Also, Bolden sat next to Trae Young at the scrimmage.

 

[MO]

Yesterday was my first time back in the LNC in several years after being a 20 year plus season ticket holder. IMO, Past the obvious starting 5, Buford looked like a player. James didn't look ready to me. Unless he's a star in waiting, I'd redshirt Manyang. He's going to be way behind and Lattin looks good enough. What about Odomes? He looks the part. What has anyone observed about his skills

 

[Larry72]

Did McNease or Lattin make any jump shots?

With all of the preseason emphasis / talk, did the defense look any better?

With more depth and athletes, do you think that Lon will play more pressure defense?

 

[SoonerinNC]

I was hoping to see someone do a rundown on all the players individually. Seems like a number of you were there.

Also does anyone know why they don't televise practices anymore. Money?

Also has OU asked that practice reports not be posted?

I'm getting weak from lack of information.

 

[cvangild]

1. I take most all JUCO accolades with a big grain of salt (Chris Walker Rule).

2. The foot injury.

3. The unexplained leave of absence from his JUCO team toward the end of last season.


These things are all alarms with me. I've just never considered him any sort of cog toward the potential success of our 2016 season.

Chris Walker wasn't rated as one of the top 3 juco players in the country...so, silly comparison. The leave of absence has nothing to do with what kind of player he can be.

The foot injury is the one valid point I will give you. I have that concern as well. I hope there won't be any lingering effects, but we will see.

 

[campbest]

When you're 7ft, you just don't get over foot injuries. It's almost November, time for people to start checking their expectations for him.

 

[Sooner04]

Chris Walker wasn't rated as one of the top 3 juco players in the country...so, silly comparison. The leave of absence has nothing to do with what kind of player he can be.

The foot injury is the one valid point I will give you. I have that concern as well. I hope there won't be any lingering effects, but we will see.

It's really a trust factor with me. For one, I do not trust any JUCO accolades, no matter how lofty.

I do not trust the foot injuries of basketball players. Just seems so finicky. And the fact that he might practice then doesn't, or is cleared to play some and then does not, just fires off all sorts of flags.

But I was unsettled by the leave of absence at JUCO. What was the deal? Did he just waltz out on his teammates? Was he in trouble? Can you trust a guy like that?

It's all very unsettling to me. Luckily we are loaded and will be able to put out a winning product regardless of whether he's a 20-minute a night player or Kyle Cannon.

 

[DenverSooner]

It's really a trust factor with me. For one, I do not trust any JUCO accolades, no matter how lofty.

I have a different attitude but I think I am a bit older than you. I can rattle off a long list of judos such as: Grant, Grace, Blaylock, Henry, Jackie Jones, Bryon Sallier, Alexander Hamilton, Nate Erdmann, Corey Brewer, Nolan Johnson, McGhee, Selvy, White, Dietrik, Ere, Jaison Williams, Terrell Everett, Michael Neal, Omar Leary (solid backup), Juan Pattillo, Sam Grooms, and Dinjiyl Walker.

I only left off a few Jucos that I can recall such as Chris Walker and Nick Thompson. There was a lot of help from the judos on that list. Granted the early part of the list was all starters to star players while the later part of the list had a lot more role players but they still helped the team.

OU's best teams had a heavy does of Jucos.

 

[Sooner04]

OU's best teams had a heavy does of Jucos.

Absolutely. But Larry Johnson isn't getting off the bus anymore.

 

[campbest]

I have a different attitude but I think I am a bit older than you. I can rattle off a long list of judos such as: Grant, Grace, Blaylock, Henry, Jackie Jones, Bryon Sallier, Alexander Hamilton, Nate Erdmann, Corey Brewer, Nolan Johnson, McGhee, Selvy, White, Dietrik, Ere, Jaison Williams, Terrell Everett, Michael Neal, Omar Leary (solid backup), Juan Pattillo, Sam Grooms, and Dinjiyl Walker.

I only left off a few Jucos that I can recall such as Chris Walker and Nick Thompson. There was a lot of help from the judos on that list. Granted the early part of the list was all starters to star players while the later part of the list had a lot more role players but they still helped the team.

OU's best teams had a heavy does of Jucos.

JUCO is nothing like it was 20 years ago, it's actually quite a bit different than 10 years ago.

 

[BCSooners]

I have a different attitude but I think I am a bit older than you. I can rattle off a long list of judos such as: Grant, Grace, Blaylock, Henry, Jackie Jones, Bryon Sallier, Alexander Hamilton, Nate Erdmann, Corey Brewer, Nolan Johnson, McGhee, Selvy, White, Dietrik, Ere, Jaison Williams, Terrell Everett, Michael Neal, Omar Leary (solid backup), Juan Pattillo, Sam Grooms, and Dinjiyl Walker.

I only left off a few Jucos that I can recall such as Chris Walker and Nick Thompson. There was a lot of help from the judos on that list. Granted the early part of the list was all starters to star players while the later part of the list had a lot more role players but they still helped the team.

OU's best teams had a heavy does of Jucos.

Go back and compare those last 4 to everyone else in that group, that should tell you about today's jucos. You can still find quality players to start or fill a role (maybe a star player every now and then), just can't fill out your roster that way anymore. Transfers are the new Jucos.

 

[BigTime]

Meh there are still a few Pierre Jacksons out there so I disagree that you can't find star players in JUCO anymore. Just more difficult.

 

[BCSooners]

Meh there are still a few Pierre Jacksons out there so I disagree that you can't find star players in JUCO anymore. Just more difficult.

That's why I said you can find one every now and then.

 

[usedtobe1]

Go back and compare those last 4 to everyone else in that group, that should tell you about today's jucos. You can still find quality players to start or fill a role (maybe a star player every now and then), just can't fill out your roster that way anymore. Transfers are the new Jucos.

I would argue that prep schools are the new jucos. Transfers are going to still be there, but they cut out the "immediate eligibility" provisions unless they have already graduated.

 

[DenverSooner]

I would argue that prep schools are the new jucos. Transfers are going to still be there, but they cut out the "immediate eligibility" provisions unless they have already graduated.

I agree. To me the biggest difference is that a number of kids go to Prep School now.

 

[OUHoops]

BTW, a top 10 team this year and not one local media type bothered to cover this scrimmage.